Bottle-capping machine



E. W. LITTLE.

BOTTLE CAPPING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED 0615. 1921.

Patented June 20, 1922.

M jwue'ntot Earl WL m IBOTTLE-CAPPING MACHINE.

Application filed October 5, 1921. Serial No. 505,664l-- T 0 all whom it may concern Be it known that I, EARL V. LITTLE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Indianapolis, in the county of Marion and State of Indiana, have invented .newand useful Improvements in Bottle-Capping Machines, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a bottle capping device, the general object of the invention being to provide means whereby bottles of various sizes may be capped and alsoto provide compensating means whereby bottles of irregular shape may be capped without danger of breaking the bottles nor the device.

Another object of the invention is to provide a capping head having a centering hole to center the top of the bottle and also means for straightening the cap on the bottle before it is crimped.

A further object of the invention is to provide means whereby the operating handle will apply increased pressure upon the head as it is moved downwardly on the crimping stroke, the head being so formed as to require more pressure as it is lowered in the crimping action.

This invention also consists in certain other features of construction and in the combination and arrangement of the several parts, to be hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings and specifically pointed out in the appended claims.

In describing my invention in detail, reference will be had to the accompanying drawings wherein like characters denote like or corresponding parts throughout the several views, and in which Figure 1 is a side view of the invention.

Figure 2 is a front view thereof.

Figure 3 is a section on line 3-3 of Figure 1.

In these views 1 indicates a standard which rises from the base 2, the standard forming an extension of a support 8 which may be suitably connected with a stand or other support. The standard is of T-shape in cross section for a part of its height, but the upper end is of rectangular shape in cross section and curves forwardly to form a vertical bearing for the stem 1 of the crimping head 5. The forked end of the lever or handle 6 is pivoted to the upper end of the standard and this leveris connected Specification of Letters Patent. Patented June 20, 1922.

by links 7 with the member 8 which is slidably mounted on the stem 4, a spring 9 be ing interposed between the said member and the head 5. A spring 10 on the stem tends to hold the crimping head in raised position. The drawing shows the lever 6 as being connected by a link 11 with a foot pedal 12 which is pivotally attached to a part of the supporting structure. However,

the lever can be operated directly by hand if desired. 7 t

The crimping head is provided with a tapered recess 13, the recess being so shaped as'to form an annular shoulder 14 which acts to straighten the cap if the same should be I tilted on the mouth of the bottle. This shoulderwill cause the cap to rest flat on the bottle mouth before the crimping action takes place. Then when the head is lowered a little more the upper part ofthe'tapered recess' will crimp the cap upon the bottle. This will require gradually increased pressure as the head moves downwardly and this is secured by the connection of the handle or lever with the head or part 8, it being understood that said part 8 may-be omitted and the head connected directly with the handle.

This part 8 and spring 9 is of great benefit however, because if a cap is bent or if the lip of the bottle is too large the spring will give sufliciently to prevent breaking of the bottle or of the device. The head carries a gauge or indicator 15 for indicating when the bottle is adjusted properly in relation to the head.

I provide an adjustable support for the bottle when the same is being capped, such engage the side flanges, these lugs 20 acting to limit the tilting movement of the bottle support, saidsupportpivoting on the lugs Extension 17 is also provided with a tooth 21 which is adapted to engage the teeth 22 on the standard so as to hold the bottle support in adjusted position. The side walls of the opening in extension 17 are tapered where the tooth 21 passes through, as at 23, to permit a slight rocking movement of the support laterally in order to permit the parts to adjust themselves to bottles, the bottoms of which are distorted and not parallel With the tops of the bottoms.

The tops of teeth 22 slope downwardly from the center to the sides in order to permit the support to have this tilting action.

In order to move the bottle support it is simply necessary to raise the outer part of the base 16 so as to free the tooth 21 from the tooth 22, the lugs 19 acting as fulcrums and the lugs 20 acting to limit the tilting movement.

From the above it will be apparent that the bottle support-can be quickly and easily adjusted vertically to properly position the bottle in respect to the capping head, this position being indicated by the gauge 15.. The connection of the bottle support with the standard permits the support to adjust itself automatically to accommodate irregular shaped bottles and bottles which have not been placed exactly under the head. This arrangement of parts will prevent breakage of the bottle and of the device. I

.The bottle support can be removed fro the standard by moving it upwardly to free the lugs from the flanges, When the support can be moved bodily from the standard. This facilitates the manufacture of the de vice and also permits bottles of great heightto be capped.

It is thought from the foregoing description that the advantages and novel features of my invention will be readily apparent.

I desire it to be understood that I may make changes in the construction and in the combination and arrangement of the several parts, provided that such changes fall within the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim is 1. A bottle capping machine comprising a frame, a vertically adjustable bottle support pivotally connected with the frame, a capping head, a stem connected with the same and passing through a portion of the frame, spring means for holding the head in raised position, a member slidably mounted on the stem, a spring located between the same and the head, a lever pivoted tothe frame and a link connecting the lever with the sliding member.

2. A bottle capping machine comprising a frame, a capping head movably supported thereby, means for actuating the head, a downwardly depending part on one side of the head forming a gage and bottle sup porting means connected with the frame.

3. A bottle capping machine comprising a frame including a standard of T-shape in cross section, a capping head, means for actuating the same, a bottle support having forked extensions, lugs on the prongs ,of the forks for engaging the flanges of the standard and teeth on the standard and support for holding the same in adjusted position.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

EARL W. LITTLE. 

